It's an old debate but it's one that crops up all the time in the world of journalism and here it is again with the news that Tiger Woods has been up to no good.
The debate splits down the lines of whether the media should be reporting the twists and turns of Tigers marital affairs or the counter argument that his private life should be kept out of the newspapers.
To me there is a very simplistic answer. If a person chooses to put themselves in the spotlight, then they are fair game. You can't only play the publicity game when it suits so that means the whole package of good, bad and ugly.
Tiger makes millions out his 'nice guy' persona through advertising. For years he has been handsomely paid to get his picture taken wearing a certain make of clothes or appearing on television selling razors so he has actively gone out of his way to make himself visible.
Now that he has been caught out playing around on another ladies fairway, he wants to pull down the shutters and asks for privacy.
For me, Tiger Woods is a completely legitimate target and journalists have every right to report the who, when, how and why of the reasons behind his late night fire hydrant crash.
Woods is the villain of this particular piece, not the people reporting it.
6 comments:
I've no particular sympathy for Tiger per se, but I do wonder, why-o-why-o-why, is anyone interested in his private life... at all?
If you're a golf fan, then why not just confine yourself to your interest in the game?
And, if you're not a golf fan (like me), why do you give a nutty shit what this guy does anyway?
I would humbly contend that Tiger Woods may have the odd problem in his personal life that he probably needs to deal with... but nowhere near the kind of problems that people who are fascinated by his love-life have. I reckon that's a real illness.
People, and the British especially, are fascinated by the downfall of celebrities. We have a lust to see our celebrities knocked off their pedestals. That's why the best selling magazines and newspapers are the ones that serve up the celebrity scandals. I couldn't care less about Tiger Woods but celebrity sells and one in the midst of falling is a surefire money spinner.
I imagine a psychiatrist could explain why it appeals to us but i would guess it is something along the lines of it makes us feel a bit better to see those who seemingly have it all, are prone to the same lapses as us.
of course he is fair game. who cares. next topic please.
q
What Q said
Especially since there is nothing of greater importance happening in the world. Right?
Very true Annie. It seems celebrity scandal outsells even war.
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